All Forum Posts by: Patty Kett

ok, You guys won't believe this. The Sheriff just called and said she talked with the district attorney and he said no crime has taken place. Because he refused all the notices on the sale (foreclosure) he may not have known he did not own the place when he did the damage. Although I had told him 3 weeks prior about the sale date.

The only way is to ask him if he knew it was not his property when he did the damage. The sheriff has a call into him but he is under no obligation to call him back.

If he did it before the sale it would be civil matter for the bank and since I can't prove when it was done no crime. Even though they saw him trimming the trees. 5 days ago.

The insurance said they will come out but since they don't know when it was done they probably won't pay.

I have a call into the bank about the loan papers he signed stating that he cannot damage the property but since they don't own it anymore they will not do anything I'm sure.

So worst case for me is I spend $50k and end up with a newly remodeled home the way I wanted it and still have 100 equity in it.

So if you refuse the certified letters, you can legally vandalize the home as much as you want after the court house step sale and then leave and nothing can be done to you.

I knew I was buying as it and because I was nice and knocked on the door and few days after I saw they had a moving van and left a nice letter cash for keys was my mistake. I should have knocked at the door right after the sale and demanded to inspect the property. If they said no give them 24 hours and call the sheriff. This is what the sheriff said. Sure wish someone would have told me that before. Only thing is I would have been arrested for breaking in without the deed in my hand if they didn't answer. The good guys always loose.

I did just that. Tomorrow i will call the bank and let them know. Because I think the issue is going to be when did they do the damage before or after the sale.

Had the sheriff take pictures and a report, she said it is a felony. Also found out today that the 10 trees on the property were cut 1/2 way through and the neighbors saw him trimming trees last Wed. Also saw the sprinkler on last week and he has pulled all the irrigation and valves out.

So my question is even if it was his property and he damaged it, because of the loan and what he signed to get the loan it still would be a felony? You do not have a right to damage a property unless you have the deed own it outright.??? The Sheriff was unclear on this and was thinking if we could not prove when the damage was done may have a hard time on the arrest.

I know they left the state but had forwarding number of a relative.

Thanks, I am in California. Well another way to look at it. I was going to rent for 2 years then move in and do some remodeling anyway. I will still have only $300k into it (which is what I would have paid at the steps if someone were to bid against me) and the value will still be about $400k+.

Have a call into my attorney. Just wanted some feedback because it is such a complicated issue.

Any other feedback, stories or issues would be appreciated.

Hi,
Bought a property at the court house steps. I knew the property and knew it was very clean. Well the home's real value was about $400k got it for $245k.

I had called the owners before the sale and said I would buy it from them so that would not go on their credit and put $ in their pocket. They thought I was taking advantage of them and said god would save them. So this is not your typical situation they had 150k equity in it.

Bought the property at the steps, no one there to bid against me. Sent a friend over to look at property still very nice outside and he could only see inside through the front door glass everything looked fine. Saw a moving truck. Posted a nice letter to try to get cash for keys. Went back a couple days later (yesterday) saw no cars and the place was a wreck.
Holes drilled in all window frames and cabinets, tile. Holes in walls, appliances damages, toliets broke. But through the window that room was left untouched.

It has just been a week and we have not received the deed yet to record. About $45,000 in damage. Some furniture left he also damaged and spray painted. So my question is.. Would insurance take care of any of this damage? I got insurance on the day of the sale. Would the Banks insurance pay since I don't have the deed yet? I think he left the state. CAn he be arrested? I am calling the sherriff today and the Bank on Monday.
Thanks for your help.